But a dear little sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

"Now, Dasher! now,
now, Dancer! now, Prancer

and Vixen!

On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen! To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall! Now dash away, dash away, dash away, all!" And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his

foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes

and soot.

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes, how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry;

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard on his chin was as white as

the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke encircled his head like a wreath.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf;
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of
myself.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his
work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger side of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose, He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle;

And I heard him cry out ere he drove out of sight,

66

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight."

Expression at desk. Illustrate story.

SNOW AND ICE.

Answer questions in writing.

What is snow?

What color is snow?

What is the difference between snow and ice? What use has snow and ice?

DRAWINGS TO BE COPIED.

Many, many years ago, long, long before Christopher Columbus found this new land, there were little boys and girls living in far away Egypt.

These little children had dark skins, yet they were not negroes.

Egypt is a land where snow and ice are almost unknown, and in these homes the children seldom see a storm.

Even fog and rain are rare.

From November to April it is a long spring time.

By February the fruit trees are in full bloom and by May the crops are reaped.

The little boy who tells his story would not understand why boys live as you and I do.

Hear his story:

My home is near the wonderful river Nile. Every spring the waters of this river flow over the land and leave rich moist earth where we plant seeds.

After the grain is ripe and gathered the land dries up.

I do not need much clothing. I wear but a short linen slip, because the weather is always warm. I wear sandals on my feet.

I go to school, but my sister can not go.

School lasts until noon each day. My task in school is to copy the writings of those who have lived long ago.

So, you see, I must learn to write, the first of anything. This is no light task for I must make pictures for words and letters.

After I learn to write I must copy, and I have to learn to remember my copy.

66

I am very happy when my teacher says Nofer," which means good.